Motor or velocipede skate.



E. E. RIES. 'MOTOR 0R VELOCIPEDE SKATE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, 1906. RENEWED OCT. 3,1914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

WIT/1158858:

ATTREVS E. E. HIES. MOTOR 0R VELOCIPEDE SKATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, I906- RENEWED OCT. 3 I814- Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

" mos/15x5 nuns E. runs, or new YORK, 1v. Y.

MOTOR OR VELO'CIPEDE SKATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, a eas.

Application filed March 14, 1906, Serial No. 306,073. Renewed October. 3, 1914. Serial No. 864,943.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, ELi'As E. Rms,'a citizen of the-United States, and resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented cor tain new and useful Improvements in Motor or Velocipede Skates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the construction of a drivingmechanism for motor or veloc1 pede skates of the type in which the propelling power is derived from a foot plate. An example of such a construction of skate may be found described in my Patent No. 706,783, dated August 12, 1902.

The invention relates also to other features of construction hereinafter more fully set forth.

In said patent I have shown and described a novel type of motoror velocipede skate in which the alternate shifting or transfer of the weight of the body of a person from side to side or from onefoot to the other, as it occurs, for example, in the act ofl walking, is utilized by me asa source of motive-power for producing a forward motion of the skater or pedestrian, thereby greatly facilitating the art of individual locomotion, and enabling a person to travel about with a minimum of effort at compara- -tively rapid speeds and with great convenience and safety. The means employed by me for producing-these results as described in my said patent, consist, generally speaking, of a skate frame carrying two or. more wheels, one or more of which wheels are "adapted to be rotated in a forward direc- 1st. The suspension of the foot-plate of the skate on a cradle support by means of,

parallel motion link mechanism of novel and simple construction, thus avoiding straining of the ankle and insuring a more comfortable, stable and secure position for the pedestrian or user, as well as maintaining a substantially horizontal position of the foot plate throughout its stroke and movement,

when operating the skate-along level roadsy 2nd. The mounting of a depressible foot, I

plate on-the supporting or base frame so that the effect of pressureexerted on any ortion of the foot-plate is equalized,\vl1e1 'e' y no matter on what part or parts of the foot-plate the pressure'is applied the whole force of such pressure is effectively utilized in operating the propelling mechanism which is connected to the foot-plate 3rd. The construction of the base-frame tion and permits of a considerably increased maximum length of stroke while keeping the center of gravity at the lowest possible point, making the skate perfectly safe. It also permits of the usev of larger wheels for high-speed work and allows of an up and down movement ofthe foot-plate while the highest limit of movement is below the axles of the supporting wheels, thus insuring perfect stability as well as a long wheel-base bicycle variety.

4th. The improved driving mechanism, consistmg of a pivoted lever with curved ,when my skates are of the two-wheel or interior rack en a in with a lantern )inion and partaking of the parallel. motion which takes place by the reciprocation of the foot-.

plate in relation to the frame, or in relation to the surface over which the skate travels, as hereinafter explained.

5th. A swiveled trailing forward wheel -whereby turning a curve without lifting the skate is effected.

6th. The improved triple-parallel-motion foot power construction, comprising three rigid parallel supports in combination with bell-crank levers, one of said parallel supports consisting of the open frame to the inner side of which the heelsof the bell crank levers are pivoted, another of said supports comprising the vertically moving foot plate designed and adapted to swing through an are extending from a point above to a point below said open frame, to which foot-plate the longer arms of said bell-crank levers are pivotally secured, and

the third of said supports constituting the parallel tie or thrust rods to which the shorter arms of said. bell-crank levers are pivoted, the whole being arranged so that the full movement or stroke of the foot plate is accomplished with the minimum of friction, without encounteringany dead centers and with the maximum leverage and chanical efficiency in the conversion of the power exerted upon the foot-plate.

- 7th. The employment in connection with the foregoing, of a pair of supplementary parallel links connecting the rear portion of the foot-plate with the frame at a point above the general level of the foot plate, the

. derstood.

In the motor skate shown in my above mentioned U. S. Patent No. 706,783, the foot-plate is hinged to the base frame at one vend thereof, generally at the toe portion,

thus limiting the thrust to the rear of the ,foot. This vertical oscillatory treadle-action proved to be not only more or less tiresome and inconvenient, but also lacking in efficiency by reason of the uneven distribution of the Weight of the skater, a large part of which was uselessl'y expended 1n pressing upon the stationary forward pivot or hinged portion of the foot-plate.

By my present invention, while the footplate is pivoted to the base frame, it is so gpivoted that by a simple swaying motion of the body from side to side, the foot-plates of the two skates comprising a pair are alternately elevated and depressed as a whole, so that the force of practically the entire weight of the body is efiectively transmitted to the propelling mechanism of each skate in succession, and this regardless of any ankle motion. The foot-plate is automatically elevated when the pressure thereon is withdrawn and to the extent to which the foot is raised from its lowermost position, and is thus made ready for another downward thrust while the pedestrian is moving forward.

At each stepping or swaying of the body toward one side, the footplate of the skate on that side, on commencing its descent, has a slight forward swing," which assists materially in getting under way and makes the motion necessary to propel the skate quite like a natural walk, except that no striding or str' ing out is necessary. The extent of the downward motion of every part of the foot-plateis equal at all arts thereof, and the foot-plate is thus at all times maintainedparallel with the base-frame, thereby greatly increasing the ease and convenience with which the skates may be used. Each fraction of the downward movement of the foot-plate, from whatever elevation, is immediately communicated to the drivingwheel of the skate by an improved friction clutch and gear of novel and efficient construction that I have especially devised for this and other purposes. This foot-power driving-mechanism is arranged so that the coming to rest 'of the foot-plate at the end of its downward stroke, as well as during its upward or return movement, will at once throw the clutch out of frictional engagement with the driving-wheel and thus continue to permit the latter to revolve and propel the skate by virtpe of the impetus which it has received, and which is added to and maintained by successive strokes.

The efiiciency of my triple-parallel-motion and'clutch mechanism, as I have practically demonstrated it in connection with the types of my velocipede skates herein illustrated and described, will be better realized when it is stated that distances of from 18 to 24: feet were readily traversed on a level surface, from a standing start, as the result of a single depression of one foot-plate only, through a depth or stroke of but 3 inches, as compared with the aver age distance of about 2?} feet covered by a pedestrian in making a single stride. Of course, it will be obvious that after the original inertia of the body has been overcome the speed and distances covered will be considerably greater, depending upon the length and frequency of the strokes, until the maximum speed is reached. It may be observed in this connection that in riding an ordinary bicycle, the bulk of the weight of the body rests on the saddle and is practically dead weight to be carried, whereas in my improved velocipede cycle skates the entire weight of the rider becomes effective and is fully utilized as the propulsive force, and this under conditions requiring far less muscular exertion than is absorbed by the usual bicycle crank and pedal mechanism with its exaggerated circular swing and dead centers.

As already stated, the effective length of the strokes of the foot-plate, under ordinary running conditions, is entirely under the control of vthe pedestrian, being determined by the distance to which the feet are raised. It should also be mentioned that in the ordinary use of my improved motor or velocipede skates, no part of the weight of the ward, as while ascendinga grade, because my clutch-mechanism automatically locks ,the rear wheels against backward rotation.

For the same reason, the "'skates ofier a perfectly stable support for the rider while at rest, and they are light and small enough to be easily carried when not in use.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure l is a plan, and Fig. 2 a side elevation of one form of my improved motor or velocipede a skate. Fig. 3 is a plan partly in section and 1 Fig. 4- is a side elevation of a modified form of my invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the base-frame A is formed of two side bars a," a, preferably of a tubular metal, having forwardly extending braces a, a, the outer ends of which approach each other and carry the bearings for the front wheel B, and similarly converging rearwardly extending braces of, a supporting the axle h for the rear wheel B. The frame is thus formed approximately rectangular and is sufficiently wide to allow the foot to pass up and down between the bars a, w, thus allowing the foot-plate t movedownward as near to the ground as practicable and permitting the entire motion of the foot-plate to be below the axles of the supporting wheels, which latter, it will be seen, are placed entirely in advance and in the rear respectivel of the foot, thereby affording also a longer and more stable wheel base. The frame, it will furthermore be seen, is also bent downward so as to depend or hang below its axles or points of support, so that when the weight of the person rests upon the foot-plate G, the latter, together with the frame A and the axles of the wheels B, B forms a suspension or cradle support for the foot. It will be observed that this construction brings the center of gravity well below the axles of the skate and also the foot-plate (J as close as practicable to the surface of the ground when in its depressed position, thereby affording the rider not only a high degree of stability while operating the skates, but rendering the latter especially safe and comfortable while he is coasting on levels or down grades with his feet at rest.

The foot-plate C, provided with suitable straps or clamping devices a, c'-,to fasten the skate to the foot, is pivoted to the baseframe by means of spacing links or levers d, at. More than two links or levers d, d, however, may be bridged between the footplate and frame, where found necessary. The levers d are pivoted at one end to the forward part of the fo0t-plate C and at the other end journaled to brackets a secured to the side bars 4, av. The levels at are pivoted at one end to a rearward extension 0 of the foot-plate G, and at the other end are jour-v naled or pi voted to the braces a of the frame downward toward the base-frame.

and its extension 0 Pin the same horizontal planeand at points in advance of vertical lines drawn through their respective journaled supports in the frame. This forward inclination of the supporting links or levers D produces a downward forward movement of the foot plate under the weight of the rider, while, moreover, by giving a decided forward inclination to said levers as shown the weight of the rider is effectively employed through the. whole extent of the downward movement and this decided forward inclination of the supporting links makes the device also effective in absorbing shocks. The side bars a, a, the foot-plate (J, and the forwardly inclined links or levers d, cl, form together a jointed rectangle or parallelogram and pressure on any portion of the foot-plate tends to move the said plate If the weight or pressure falls on the forward part of the reciprocating foot-plate C, it will give the same result as if the weight fell on the heel portion or was evenly distributed over the foot-plate thus equalizing the effect of pressure on all points of the foot-plate. It will "erefore be readily seen that if propell' 1g mechanism is operated by the downward movement of this foot-plate, it will make no difference where the pressure is applied, and that by simply swaying the body from side to side the entire weight of the body is thrown alternately on the foot plate of each skate and utilized as a propelling force. I

To return the foot-plate C to its elevated position when the weight is taken off, I make use of the following mechanism, although other means may be used: The levers cZ, cl are made in the form of bell-crank levers, the lower arms, d (Z of which are connected by a parallel tie-rod e pivoted at its ends to the outer ends of the lower arms or levers d (Z respectively. Where these bell-crank levers and rod 6 are used, two 1evers (Z, d are sufficient to preserve the parallelism under any strain, although in practice I prefer to use a separate parallel tierod at either side of the foot plate C, as shown in the drawings. A spiral spring e having onecnd fastened to or bearing against a collar 6, on rod 6, whiclrcollar is preferably made adjustable along the rod 6 so as to permit of changing the tension of the spring 6 and the other end bearing against a lug a secured to the base-frame, tends to move the rod 6 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, and thus turn the bell-crank levers (Z, (Z and cl, (5 so as to raise the foot plate C.

It will be clear that by the employment of the spring or springs e as just described, the foot-plate O is automatically returned to its elevated position after each stroke, together with its associated driving-mechanism presently to be described, and thus made ready to receive the next impulse or pressure of the foot, and that the user is thereby relieved from the necessity of lifting the foot-plate. Any other arrangement of returning spring may, however, be employed, or, as will be evident, the returning spring or springs may be dispensed with and the foot-plate and its associated parts returned by merely lifting the feet alternately to any desired height-within the limits of its swing, although this plan of dispensing with the returning spring is not as satisfactory and is not ordinarily recommended by me.

In the drawings I have shown the rear wheel B as the driving wheel, although, as is evident, any wheel or wheels of the skate may be used as driving wheels, especially in the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Mounted loosely on the rear axle or shaft 1), between each of the side frame extensions a a and the two opposite parallel faces, respectively, of the central ub-portion K of the driving wheel B, are two annular flanged sleeves, F, F. These sleeves, which are preferably of steel and formed of a single unitary part, as by turning or die-casting, are each provided with a deep groove, located, as shown, between an outer and an inner flange, the outer flange being of which. latter has an extended face portion smaller diameter than the inner flange, f, that is arranged and adapted to bear loosely against its respective face of the hub K.

'The said intermediate grooved portion of the sleeve F is drilled with a series of holes into which steel pins are driven to form a lantern pinion, indicated by H on Figs. 2 and 4:. The entire sleeve F, with its lanternpinion and annular outer and inner flanges, is designed, adapted and arranged to .have a rocking-motion upon the stationary rear axle ,b, which is permanently clamped against rotation to the frame extensions a3, 2

The central portion of the hub K is recessed on either side to make room for the two roller-bearings la, that are inserted therein, these roller bearings serving, in the usual manner, to reduce friction between the wheel-hub K and shaft 6, upon which the wheel B is free to turn.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2, which show the driving-wheel B of my skates in crosssection, it will be seen that the hub K is provided with a series of cylindrical-shaped pockets at the opposite faces thereof, containing the small cylindrical friction-clutch rollers 70, k. A number of these rollers are placed radially within a series of inclined or tapering pockets that are formed at regular intervals in both faces 9f the hub K, which thus constitutes at the same time a clutchbearing or a clamping support for the roll- .ers Zt'flg, eta,- again'st which latter the side flanges f, f, of the sleeves F, F, make-a firm frictional contact whenever". the lanternpinion H is rotated in a forward direction. This results from the fact that the direction of inclination of the roller-pocket walls is such as will tend to cause certain of the rollers is, is, under the action of gravity, to roll toward the flanges f, f, which immediately grip andbind these rollers by forcing them a very small distance outwardly along their inclined seats, thus causing them to project slightly beyond the faces of the combined'friction-clutch and roller hub K. On the other hand, when the motion of the pinion H is reversed, the rollers la, 70, are instantly forced back into their pockets andv away from the faces of the hub K and of the flanges 7, f, so that now the pinion H can turn rearwardly without affecting the movement of the driving wheel B. The operation of this part of my invention, as I have applied it to my velocipede skate, will now be clearly understood. A pair of rack levers H, H, are pivoted at h, h, to the rear braces 03, a of the skate-frame A. Each lever H is provided at its rear portion with an elliptical-shaped opening made wide enough at its center to permit it to be slipped over the smaller outer flange of the with internal rack teeth h that, when the rack lever is in place, permanently engage the pinion H, the rack teeth of each lever being formed on an arc of a circle the center of which is at the pivoting point .72., whereby when the rack teeth It move upwardthe lantern pinions H are rotated in one direction, and when moved downward these pinions are rotated-"in the other direction.

The arm 71, of each lever H is pivoted at its outer end to the extension 0 of the footplate, and when the foot-plate is moved downward the levers H are turned down on their pivots 71., thus raising the ack teeth it and rotating the pinions F. hese pinions F, in the particular construction and arrangement of the rack levers H herein shown, will by reason of such downward pressure upon the footplate, C, be rotated in a direction to cause the engagement of the cylindrical frictionrollers 70, 7c, of the clutch K with the inner flanged surfaces, f, of the pinions F, thus causing said plnions to frictionally grip the positive rotary driving-wheel B and to rotate same with a motion in a direction to propel the skate forward. The result will be that when theweight of the body is thrown' on foot-plate G, the whole force of the pressure exerted 1s transmitted to move the wheel 3 and skate forward through the rack levers H and pinions F. The greater the stroke or downward movement of the foot-plate, the greater will be the distance through which the positive propelling imsaid pinions, to which the weight upon the foot-plate havin alread acted to rotate a. b l the pnnons by engaging, say, two or three of the teeth thereof,) is now transferred and by which it is supported so long as the footpressure remains on the skate, but with the difference that the weight of the rider is now evenly distributed over a larger number of the pins of the pinions H. As soon as the weight is removed from the depressible foot-plate, the spring 6 raises the footplate and consequently returns the lever H to the position shown in Fig. 2. v

The driving wheel B is so mounted as to be free to rotate in a forward direction at all times, and thus the impulse given it by the levers H and pinions F does not cease to exert its power, when the forward rotation of the 'pinions ceases, but the wheel B continues to rotate and propel the skate with a speed depending on the downward pressure on the foot-plate and the momentum acquired by the person using the skates.

other suitable clutch mechanism K,

which allows the driving wheel to rotate in a forward direction continually, and also prevents \backward -rotation thereof, such for example, as described and shown in my saidjPatent No. 706,783 may be applied to my skates, as I do not herein restrict myself to the use of any particular form of such mechanism. Nor do I limit myself tothe use of my special clutch-mechanism. herein described for foot-skate purposes only, since the-same as well as modifications thereof may effectively and advantageously be used and employed by me for other purposes.

The foot-plate and propelling-mechanism shown in Fig. i is the same as that shown in.

Figs. 1 and 2, and from this Fig. 4 the operation of the same may be seen. The footpiate and connected levers are shown in the normal iipward position in full lines, and in the extreme downward position in dotted lines.

Small steadying wheels M may be mounted in bearings at either side of the frame to.

figures also show prevent the skate from tilting too far over, but these are not essential, especially when a person is accustomed to the skates.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 the frame A is built up somewhat differently from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The side bars a", a, consist of two parallel plates extend ing upward and forward at the front and above the wheel B. The fork N carrying this wheel is mounted so as to swivel in an adjustable bearingn. The curved forward extensions of the side bars a are provided with slots a, in which slots screw threaded pins projectingfrom the bearing it pass and said bearing is clamped by nuts or in any position between the ends of the slots.

By securing the swivel support in different adjusted positions in the frame, theextent to which the wheel trails behind its point of attachment to the frame may be varied and the sensitiveness'of the device in its steering and trailing action may be adjusted.

By swiveling the, fork N in its bearing a the front Wheel may be turned to steer the skate by turning the fore part of the foot in the desired direction without lifting the skate from the floor or ground. If the hearing n is clamped to the frame in such a position that the fork l leans forward from a perpendicular line from the center of the Wheel, as shown in Fig.4, then by turning V the forward part of the foot slightly-to one side 01' the other, (using the heel, or the point of the rear driving wheel in contact with the ground as a fulcrum,) the front wheel trails after the frame to guide the skate much in thesame manner as a caster.

In the modification shown'in Figs. 3 and 4c the side bars a are .themselves extended backward and bent inward toward each other to support the axle of the rear driving wheel and the pivots for the levers. Upward extensions a carry a pivoted brake 0 having a shoe 0 adapted to be brought arm 0 of the brake is raised by a light cord or chain 0 This cord is operated by the person using the skate. and may be attached to a button or otherwise secured to any convenient part of the clothing, where it is within easy reach whenrequired; as. on descending a grade. The brake and cord also act as aitrousers or dress guard.

vAs shown in Figs. 3and 4 the spring e is inclosed in a tube e to keep it'clean. These a suitable stop, 7', preferably in the form of a resilient rubber-covered pin or cushion against which, ashere shown, the lower arm (Z of the forward link or bell crank lever (1 comes to rest. One of these stops v or cushions project, inwardly from each frame, as indicated in Fig. 3, into the path of the back ends of the said lower arms of the bell-crank levers 03 and may be employed. to limit or cushion the downward niovei'nent of the foot-plate to prevent undue strain on the rack H.

Eihould it be desired to use the skate simply as a roller skate as for instance, in riding on a down grade, I provide a spring catch to lock the foot-plate with the frame.

"This catch may consist of a spring blade S,

pivoted at s to the frame at and arranged to be moved by the knob s from the position shown in full lines in Figs. 3 and at, to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. In this latter position a pin on the blade S springs into a perforation s in the frame 3 and locks the lever d (Z from movement,

- direct vertical line above the corresponding point of suspension of the heel of the rear bell-crank levers joining the upper and lower arms 41', d It will further be'observed (see more particularly Fig. 2,) that the said ver tical line forms a right angle with thehorizontal line drawn from the center of said rear heel through the center a, of the heel of the corresponding forward lever arms (3, d. It will furthermore be seen that the vertical portion of the rear extension of the foot plate C, to which the upper arms 7L and d of the rack lever and bell-crank are linked, is parallel with the aforesaid vertical line joining the pivot 71. and that on which the heel of the rear bell-crank lever is mounted, and, together with the arms k and d, constitute a supplementary parallelo- Eli gram to that formed by the hell-crank levers d, ill and d, (Z and their associated parts as already described. By meansof these upper links formed by the rack arms 71?, I am enabled to swing my foot-plate to any desired distance below as well as above the frame A,

without in any wise destroying .the parallelism of the various parts, which I found, in the course of my early original experimental and practical work in this art, would, in the absence of this feature, usually take place in the case of ordinary parallel-motion links if the foot-plate were permitted even approximately to descend to the level of its points of support on its frame. Such loss of parallelism results from the lack of rigidity of the parallelogram when the two sides (assuming these to be mounted to pass one another,) and the links joining the resp ctive ends thereof, all occupy the same horizontal plane. If downward pressure is brought. to bear near the end of'one of the sides, thatv end will immediately turn under and the 'other end rise, inasmuch as thes'ub'stantially perpendicular arcs described by the pivoted supporting links in this condition of the parts.

will readily permit of this, and such turning would instantlycause a binding or locking action resulting in throwing the mechanism out of action. The same also holds true, in a somewhat lesser degree, if in lieu of plain links I employ my bell-crank links alone for maintaining parallelism between the footplate, the side frame, and the tie rod. Such change in alinement would occur whenever, under pressure of the foot, the foot-plate and the upper arms or" the bell-cranks descended to a point where both lay parallel in the same horizontal plane or level. However, by adding the upward extension 0 to the footplate and an additional. pair of auxiliary links above the level of the main links, as shown by me, the parallelism is maintained and the pressure exerted upon the footplate is evenly distributed throughout the entire sweep of the footplate, which may now be freely reciprocated both above and below its point of support upon the frame. The great increase in the ellective length of stroke that I am thus enabled to gain by my improved parallel-motion foot-power mechanism is of material advantage, not alone in the particular application of the same to my motor or velocipede skates herein shown, but also for other purposes to which I may likewise apply the same.

The upper arms d, d and 71. may be made off any suitable or desired length, and by reason of their forwardly-projecting overhanging character they readily respond to any pressure exerted upon the foot-plate. Moreover, it will be seen that the ends of these arms are preferably so disposedas to describe an arc of a circle the median radius of which forms a substantially horizontal line, so-that the leverage is exerted at its greatest mechanical efiiciency for practically the entire depth of the stroke.

In the various drawings I have shown twin rack levers H and pinions H, for each skate, one set at either side thereof, principally for the sake of symmetry as well as for the more effective distribution of the transmitted foot-power to the clutch K and its wheel B. It will be understood, however, that such double construction is not essential, and that for the sake of simplicity of parts I sometimes prefer to use but a single rack-lever and pinion at one side only for transmitting the motion of the foot-plate to the clutch and wheel. .In'this case, the arm 72, on the opposite side need be merely a spacing link.

When only two wheels B, B, are used on the skate, although it is obvious I may use more than two wheels and may make any other disposition of the same that may be n eces? desirable. As shown in Fig. 4c, the brake O on the rear wheel B is provided with an arm, so shaped as also to serve the purpose of a dress-guard; The wheels B, B, which are shown as provided with ball bearings 70', icand rubber tires, 6 may be of any desired diameter and may be variously geared to suit the requirements of different users, or according to the speed or other special service for which they are desired.

While I prefer as a driving mechanism the special type of rack and lantern pinion shown in the drawings, I desire it under stood that I do not restrict myself to the same, but may use other forms of operating connections between the foot-plate and driving wheel without departing from my in vention..

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a motor skate, the combination of a supporting frame, a pivotally mounted depressible foot plate carried by said frame, means for equalizing the downward motion of all parts of said pivoted foot plate, a driving wheel, pinions mounted on the axle of said driving wheel and free to rotate in either direction, clutch mechanism between the pinion and driving wheel and a reciproeating rack operatively connected with the foot plate. 7

2. In a motor skate, the combination of a supporting frame, a horizontal depressible foot plate, linkspivotally connected to the frame and to the foot plate, and disposed one forward of the other, and driving mechanism operatively connected with said foot plate to utilize as driving power the downward pressure exerted onv all portions of said foot plate.

3. In a motor-skate, the combination of a supporting frame and a pivoted foot-plate,

driving mechanism operated by the footplate and means for equalizing the extent of downward motion, of all parts of said footplate.

4. In a motor skate,'the combination-of a supporting frame and a pivoted foot-plate mounted thereon, driving mechanism operated by said foot-plate, and with means for maintaining parallelism between said frame and plate when the latter is moving relatively to the former.

5. In a motor skate, the combination of a supporting frame and a foot-plate with connecting links forming, with the said parts a jointed rectangle or parallelogram and driving mechanism operated by said foot plate.

6. In a motor skate the combination of a supporting frame, a depressible foot-plate and connecting links designed and adapted to cause the foot plate to describe, with respect to said frame, a forward and downward movement'when said foot-plate is depressed and driving mechanism operated by said foot-plate.

7 In a skate, the combination of a frame and a movable foot-plate, driving mecha-' 7 nesting the said frame and foot-plate.

8. In skate, the combination of a frame and a foot-plate with a rod, bell-crank levers pivoted make-"frame and connecting the said footplate'angl the said rod, a spring tending to move the rod in one direction and driving mechanism operated by the footplate.

9. in a skate, the combination of a frame and a movable foot-plate, a series of levers pivoted to and connecting the frame and foet-plate,' a stop or stops for limiting the movements of the foot-plate, a spring fornormally separating the frame and footplate and adapted to yield under pressure to permit their approach and driving mechaoperated by the foot plate.

10. In a motor skate, the combination with the frame and its movable foot-plate, of a series of links pivoted upon said frame at one end and having their other ends pivotally secured to the footplate at points in advance of vertical lines drawn through their respective pivotal supports and driving mechanism operated by the foot-plate.

11. In a motor skate, the combination with the frame and its foot-plate, of a series of links connecting said frame and footplate, said links being journaled or secured to the frame at dne end and having'their pivotally connected at each end to the frame and directly pivoted to said rack lever.

13. in a skate, the combination of a frame, a reciprocating foot plate, parallel motion links connecting the frame and foot plate, and a segmental rack actuated by the foot plate and operatively connected with a driving wheel of the skate.

14. In a skate, the combination of a continuous rigid frame having forwardly and I rearwardly extending supports for the wheels of the skate and adapted to support said wheels entirely in advance and in rear. of the foot, said frame being at its intermediate portions depressed below the level of the axes of the wheels, a foot-plate, parallel. motion links connecting the frame and'foot plate, a spring or springs mounted on the rigid frame and adapted to raise the footplate when relieved from the pressure of the foot, and driving mechanism actuated by the foot-plate and operatively connected with a driving wheel of the skate. i p

15. The combination in a roller skate, of a forward trailing wheel, a swivel fork supporting the same and a bearing for the fork adjustably mounted in a curved support integral with thesupporting frame of said skate, and means for clamping said fork in any position in. said curved support to change the extent to which the swivel fork will trail behind the point of connection of its support with the frame.

16."1n a motor skate, the combination of a wheeled frame, a foot plate and links pivoted to the foot plate and frame at the rear and forward portions of said plate.

17. In a motor skate, the combination of a wheeled frame, a foot plate and parallel motion links between the foot plate and frame.

18. The combination in a roller skate, of a rigid frame, a rear wheel rigidly mounted therein and a forward wheel mounted in a swivel support rearwardly inclined to facilitate turning, and means for securing said swivel support to an extension of said frame at a point above the axis of said wheel, as

and for the purpose described.

19. The combination of a depressible piv-- otally mounted foot plate, a supporting frame therefor, means for equalizing the extent of downward movement of all parts of said foot plate and driving mechanism operatively connected with said foot plate as and for the purpose described.

20. The combination of a movable foot plate, a supporting frame therefor, parallelwheel of the skate. I 22. The .combination, in a motor-skate having a driving wheel and driving mechanism arranged to: impart rotary motion to said driving wheel, of a swiveled guiding wheel designed and adapted to cotiperate with said driving wheel for -steering the skate, the said guiding wheel being mounted on an adjustable support by means of which its turning radius may be varied.

23. Iii a vehicle, the combination of a supporting-frame, a depressible foot-plate, parallel motion links pivotally connecting the frame and the foot-plate, driving mechanism operatively connected with said footplate and adapted to be positively operated by the depression .of the same, a spring tending to return the foot-plate to its normal position, and means for limiting the stroke of said foot-plate.

24. As an improved driving mechanism, the combination of a supporting-frame, a depressible foot-plate, parallel motion links pivotally connected to the frame and. the

foot-plate, motion transmitting mechanism operatively connected with said foot-plate, and terminal stops forming part of said motion transmitting mechanism for limitof said footvated position, intermittent motion-trans-- mitting mechanism connected with said foot-plate and a driving wheel or equivalent power absorbing device adapted to be continuously operated by said intermittent motion mechanism through successive depressions of said foot-plate, whereled by both the length and the frequency of the strokes of the foot-plate may be. varied at will without affecting the continuity of operation of said mechanism.

26. As an improveddrivin mechanism, the combination of adepressihle foot-plate supported by bell-crank levers within a hollow framethrough which it can rise and fall, said levers having forwardly projecting upper armswhose free ends are connected to the front and rear portions of the foot plate, and also having downwardly projecting lower arms connected together by a spacing rod extending parallel with said foot-plate, and motion transmitting mechanism associated with said foot-plate and operated in accordance with the degree of movement of the upper arms of said bellcrank levers, the said upper arms being soinclined as to move through an arc of a circle extending for substantially equal distances both above and. below their points of support upon the frame, whereby the pressure upon said foot-plate is applied to the most eflicient mechanical advantage throughout its stroke and without encountering any dead centers of motion.

27. As an improved driving mechanism, the same comprising a framework and a pair of depressible foot-plates, mounted upon said framework and designed and adapted moved by the feet of the operator through.

any desired portion of their stroke in a practically vertical direction and with a minimum expenditure of energy and effort. 28. In a velocipede or motor-skate, the combination of a frame supporting front and rear wheels, a bodily-depressible footplate pivoted thereto at its front and rear portions, and a driving mechanism operated by said foot-plate. 29. In a velocipede or motor-skate, the combination with the frame, a shaft sup- '.ported 'by said frame, a driving wheel mounted for rotation thereon and reciprocating mechanism for operating the same, of a friction-clutch hub for said driving wheel provided with interior pockets containingfrietion rollers, a rocking friction member upon said shaft adjacent said hub and so arranged as to engage with and retate the said hub and Wheel when said friction member is driven in a direction to move it forwardly, and to disengage the wheel and permit it to continue its forward motion when the said member is rocked in the reverse direction by said reciprocating mechanism.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 1st day of March A. I). 1906.

ELIAS E. RIES.

Witnesses:

C. T. TISGHNER, Jr.,' LILLIAN BLOND, 

